Conflictos del cirujano: ¿La vocación quirúrgica está en crisis? / Conflicts of surgeons: is surgical vocation in crisis?

RESUMEN Introducción: En los últimos años vemos un aumento de bibliografía que se refiere a problemas perso nales y psicológicos del cirujano, a la deserción en residencias de cirugía y a la falta de especialización de individuos jóvenes. Este aumento se observa sobre todo en revistas de jerarquía como Lancet o JAMA. ¿Pero cuál es la situación en la Argentina? ¿Consideramos que nos están pagando adecua damente por nuestra práctica? ¿Pensamos en abandonar nuestra especialidad? ¿Cuántos conflictos tenemos con pacientes por mes? Estimamos necesaria la realización de un trabajo regional que lo plasme. Objetivo: conocer la situación socioeconómica actual de los cirujanos. Material y métodos: estudio de corte transversal. Resultados: de 73 cirujanos encuestados de la provincia de Santa Fe, se recibió respuesta en un 57,5 %. El 87,8 % fueron hombres y 56,1% estaba dentro del grupo de edad adulto intermedio/mayor al momento del estudio. El 97,6 % de los cirujanos concordó en que sus ingresos no se corresponden con el tiempo invertido en la práctica. Consideraron abandonar su práctica diaria en el último año en un 26,2 %; la causa económica es el principal problema para el 72,7%. Discusión: la incomodidad del cirujano frente a su salario (97,6 %), la discrepancia de porcentajes en tre cirujanos y cirujanas (87,8% vs. 12,2%), la falta de cirujanos jóvenes (43,9%) y la alarmante cifra de cirujanos graduados por año (35 por año) son cuatro puntos clave que consideramos deberían abordar de manera urgente los entes políticos y, sobre todo, las Asociaciones de Cirugía.

ABSTRACT Background: In recent years we have witnessed more publications about personal and psychological issues affecting surgeons, residents quitting surgery residencies, and lack of specialization of young in dividuals. This growth can be observed especially in high-impact journals such as The Lancet or JAMA. But what is the situation in Argentina? Do we think that we are receiving adequate payment for our practice? Do we consider quitting our specialty? How many conflicts do we have with patients each month? We think that a regional work is necessary to reflect this situation. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the current socioeconomic situation of surgeons. Material and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study. Results: A total of 73 surgeons from the province of Santa Fe were contacted and 42 answers were received (response rate 57.5%): 87.8% were men and 56.1% corresponded to middle/older adulthood. Almost all surgeons (97.6%) agreed that their income did not reflect the time spent in practice. Up to 26.2% of survey respondents considered quitting their daily practice in the last year due to eco nomic reasons, which is the main problem for 72.7% of them. Discussion: Surgeons' discomfort with their salaries (97.6%), the discrepancy in percentages between male and female surgeons (87.8% vs. 12.2%), the lack of young surgeons (43.9%) and the alarming number of surgeons graduated per year (35 per year) are 4 key issues which we believe should be urgently addressed by political bodies and, especially, by surgery associations.

Attitudes and experiences during training and professional expectations in generation-y surgical residents

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Residency programs, especially in surgery, have been undergoing constant changes. The profile of residents in surgical fields is changing too since residents are now part of the Generation Y (Millenials). This change in profile mandates a re-evaluation to adapt surgical residency programs. Six years ago, we carried out a study evaluating attitudes and experiences during training, and the professional expectations of residents. This study aims to survey surgical residents to evaluate current attitudes, experiences, and expectations. METHODS: We surveyed 50 residents to determine professional satisfaction, residency-program satisfaction, future expectations, financial expectations, and correct attitude towards patients. RESULTS: Our results show that half of the residents are satisfied with the residency program. However, dissatisfaction reaches 40% on surgical volume and 80% on mentorship; 62% of the residents are not confident to perform operations after the residency, the majority believes a specialization is necessary; most residents believe financial compensation will decrease with time, but concerns with reimbursement are low; and most residents are worried about injuring patients, but only two thirds are satisfied working with patients. CONCLUSIONS: Current residents present lower job satisfaction and more criticism of teaching techniques. These changes compared to previous results match the profile of Generation Y, who is more iconoclastic when compared to previous generations.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: Os programas de residência, especialmente em cirurgia, estão em constante mudança. O perfil dos residentes nos campos cirúrgicos também vem mudando, dado que atuais residentes fazem parte da Geração Y (Millennials). Essa mudança de perfil demanda uma reavaliação para adaptar os programas de residência. Este estudo tem como objetivo entrevistar os residentes de áreas cirúrgicas para avaliar suas atuais atitudes, experiência e expectativas. MÉTODOS: Entrevistamos 50 residentes para determinar satisfação profissional, expectativas em relação ao futuro, expectativas financeiras e atitude correta em relação aos pacientes. RESULTADOS: A insatisfação com o volume cirúrgico chega a 40% e a 80% com a preceptoria; 62% dos residentes não se sentem confiantes para realizar procedimentos sozinhos após o fim do programa e a maioria acredita que uma especialização cirúrgica é necessária; a maioria dos residentes acredita que os ganhos monetários diminuirão com o tempo. CONCLUSÃO: Os atuais residentes apresentam menor satisfação com o trabalho quando comparados com os antigos, e são mais críticos quanto ao ambiente de ensino. Essas mudanças seguem as premissas da Geração Y, cujos participantes são mais iconoclastas quando comparados a gerações passadas.